Top 5 Highest Scoring Individual NBA Playoff Games (Video)

Ray Allen’s new record for total three pointers made me wonder about the highest individual scoring performances in NBA playoff history.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Michael Jordan owns two of the top five highest scoring games in NBA playoff history.

Michael Jordan – 63 points

Jordan scored an NBA Playoff record 63 points during a 135-131 double-overtime loss to the Celtics at Boston Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Jordan shot 22-of-41 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free throw line in his record performance, breaking Elgin Baylor’s previous mark of 61 points by just two points, also against Boston in the Garden, set during the 1961-62 season, ironically. After the game, the Celtics Larry Bird uttered his famous quote about MJ, with a look of utter disbelief plastered on his face; “That was God disguised as Michael Jordan.”

Elgin Baylor – 61 points

LA Lakers great Elgin Baylor scored a still NBA Finals record 61 points in Game 5 at Boston Garden as the Lakers defeated the Celtics 126-121. Baylor’s 22 field goals made set an NBA Finals record that was tied five years later by San Francisco’s Rick Barry. Baylor also grabbed 22 rebounds in the game.

Wilt Chamberlain – 56 points

In 1962, Wilt scored 56 points by making 22 out of 48 shots (.458) and 12 of 22 (.454) from the free throw line. Chamberlain also grabbed 35 rebounds in the game

Michael Jordan – 56 points

On April 29, 1992 in the 3rd game of the Eastern Conference 1st round series between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, Jordan scored 56 points on 20 out of 30 (.667) shooting from the field and 16 out 18 (.889) from the line.

Charles Barkley – 56 points

“Sir Charles” hit 23-of-31 field goal attempts and finished with 56 points, leading the visiting Suns to a 140-133 win over Golden State and a three-game sweep of their Western Conference First Round series. Barkley’s 56 points tied for the third-highest total ever in an NBA Playoff game, and his 38 points in the first half set a record.